Real Madrid secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final of the Club World Cup, advancing to the semi-finals where they will face Paris Saint-Germain. The match was largely controlled by Real Madrid, who showcased their depth and attacking strength under the management of Xabi Alonso. The Spanish giants dominated possession and created several key chances in the first half. Their efforts were rewarded when Gonzalo García, continuing his breakout tournament, opened the scoring with his fourth goal of the competition. Shortly afterward, left-back Fran García – no relation – doubled the lead with a well-placed strike, marking his first-ever goal for the club in 52 appearances. At this point, Real looked firmly in command of the match.
As the second half wore on, Real maintained control, and their lead seemed secure when Kylian Mbappé added a third with a stunning volley – a moment of brilliance that left the crowd in awe. The goal came with added significance, as it set the stage for Mbappé to face his former club, PSG, in the next round. However, the game took a dramatic and chaotic turn in stoppage time. Borussia Dortmund, refusing to go down without a fight, began to push forward aggressively. The pressure paid off when Real defender Dean Huijsen, an impressive young addition to the squad, was shown a straight red card for bringing down Serhou Guirassy inside the box. Guirassy stepped up and confidently converted the penalty in the 90+7th minute, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
With the momentum suddenly swinging in Dortmund’s favor, the final minutes of added time became a frantic battle. Dortmund came dangerously close to completing a sensational comeback when midfielder Marcel Sabitzer connected with a bouncing ball inside the box, launching a powerful volley aimed at the bottom corner. But Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced a world-class save, setting his feet quickly and diving low to deny the equalizer and preserve Madrid’s narrow lead.
When the final whistle blew, Real Madrid had survived a heart-pounding finish. The victory, though far more difficult than it initially seemed, sent them through to the semi-finals of the tournament and gave them a chance to compete for yet another major trophy. While they will miss Dean Huijsen due to suspension, the squad’s overall performance — especially in the first 90 minutes — demonstrated their strength, depth, and resilience. Now, all eyes turn to the semi-final clash against PSG, where Mbappé will reunite with his former teammates in what promises to be an emotional and high-stakes encounter.
